When I was freshman in high school, the Viet Nam war was coming to the end. A classmate, Molly Olds, who was an "army brat", convinced me, a Catholic "peacenik", to wear a POW/MIA memorial bracelet. The name on my bracelet: Richard R. Perricone.

I never knew what happened to this POW, so I "googled" Perricone. There he was on the POW Network--free and alive--living in New York with his wife. Wow! I hope he is in Washington DC this weekend with his fellow vets. I hope he knows peace.

The VOA story also brings to mind one of my students, Nguyen Kiem Long, formerly of the South Viet Nam Air Force and the Milpitas Adult School Senior ESL Class. He is currently in New York attending to family business, and I and his classmates miss him so much. He is a living example of a free and prosperous Viet Nam.

I also honor Do Ngoc Xuan, a farmer forced to flee the South and join the army. After working the night shift, he comes to the Senior ESL class every day in preparation for US Citizenship--the ticket to freedom for his relatives still in Viet Nam. His goal is shared not only by the Vietnamese students at our school, but by the immigrant communty at large.

On Veterans Day, let us remember the US service men and women, and our allied commrade-in-arms, fighting for the freedom of their own country.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

My church, St Joseph's Cathedral, is located in the heart of downtown San Jose. As I was coming out of church this morning, I looked down the street towards the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. There were two fire trucks on either side of the street with their ladders fully extended skyward. Strung between the ladders was the largest American flag I have ever seen! Wow, it was amazing! Volunteers, city workers, and police were busily preparing the streets for the Veterans Day parade scheduled for later in the day.

I have assembled some podcasts and audio clips related to the N-400 Section 10 Part F (Military) and G (Selective Service) at US CitizenPod N-400 Military Wikispace. The mp3s are appropriate for Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The audio stories from NPR.org focus on the immigrant contributions to the US Military.

oResources for citizenship preparation, GED, and English as a Second Language study, in Spanish. Check if your library has a subscription to Learning Express. Note: First time users will need to create an account.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Besides having job training, ESL, and Citizenship classes, CET hosts a huge Citizenship Fair in March

CET will have Fall free Citizenship workship on Saturday, November 10 9am-3pm. Lawyers, paralegals, and translators in nearly twenty languages will be available to guide people through the naturalization process.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Students who want to bridge the gap between Citizenship preparation and "real life" can listen to podcasts that "talk" about N-400 topics: personal information, addresses, jobs, marital status, etc. Each N-400 section has a link to podcasts from:

Sunday, October 28, 2007

I really appreciate the work of Voice of America and I have used the print and audio stories from the Special English Broadcasts. Here is VOA's report on the new Citizenship Test.

New Civics Questions for US Citizenship TestOfficials announce the 100 questions (and answers) about history and government. The newly redesigned naturalization test will be given starting next October.

Spend some time exploring the exciting features of VOA's Special English site. Of particular interest to a Citizenship student is the Making of a Nation, a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history broadcasted every Thursday. Good Job, VOA!

For even more information concerning the development of VOA Special English Broadcast, see Voice of America : a history by Alan L. Heil, Jr. and Oracle bones : a journey between China's past and present by Peter Hessler.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 38-39plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 38-39to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 38-39:

Speaker of the House

Chief Justice

Dictation Sentences

The House and Senate are parts of Congress.

The people have a voice in government.

You can get more info about the Speaker of the House and the Chief Justice from

Friday, October 19, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 36-37 plus M-638 comments. You can download individual State Handouts 36-37 (see below) to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q36-37:

Friday, September 28, 2007

1. A legal permanent resident who is (1) eligible for Naturalization; (2) applies BEFORE October 1, 2008; and (3) is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview BEFORE October 1, 2008, will take the current test.

2. A legal permanent resident who is (1) eligible for Naturalization; (2) applies BEFORE October 1, 2008; and (3) is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she can choose to take the current test or the redesigned version.

3. A legal permanent resident who is (1) eligible for Naturalization; (2) applies AFTER October 1, 2008 will take the redesigned version.

3. A legal permanent resident who is (1) eligible for Naturalization; and (2) scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2009, (regardless of when he or she applied), will take the redesigned version.

Here is a list of the documents supporting the newly Redesigned Naturalization Test (New USCIS 100Qs).

Honestly, I shouted for joy when I saw that the writers standardized the questions with the 5Ws. I deeply appreciate the re-organization of the questions, because it is easier to teach and learn material in right-relation. I feel that the infomation is much more reflective of what a US citizen "needs to know" about US History, Politics, and civic culture. And I swooned when I saw the Comparison pdf between the old 96 Qs and the new 100Qs.

Thanks to the USCIS for the extreme care and effort taken during the revision of the of the new USCIS 100 US History and Government Questions. Thanks to the examiners and interviewees who tested the Pilot Questions. A special thanks to writers, document designers, and webfolk who prepared the documents that support the newly Designed Test. The process of the Redesigned Naturalization Test is a great example of "democracy in action". Congratulations USCIS!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 34-35 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 34-35to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 34-35:

The Constitution

Bill of Rights

Dictation Sentences

The Constitution is the supreme law of our land.

He knows how to a ride a bike.

You can get more info about the the Constitution and the Bill of Rights from

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 32-33 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 32-33to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 32-33:

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 30-31 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 30-31to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 30-31:

I printed the information on color paper so they can find this paper quickly and easily. Many students took extra copies home for their family and friends.

Also, please check out the new online video from USCIS "Promise of Freedom"--a twelve minute video presentation on American civics and history. Watch the video online or get the direct download of Promise of Freedom.

Finally, The Pilot Questions have been revised! There are now 142 questions. Questions have been marked for Senior Citizens older that 65 and have been legal permanent residents for more than 20 years.

VOANews: How America WorksThis series explains the role of civil society at the local level, using Montgomery County, Maryland as an example. Each segment in the How America Works series highlights an aspect of civil society and how it contributes to the collective good of the community.

VOA Special English: The Making of a NationEvery Thursday, Special English broadcasts a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Interview-07Today we will listen to our seventh practice interview from Juana Ortega (Las Margaritas, Jalisco, Mexico). These are simple questions are based on the N-400. You can get a pdf. of the Simple Citizenship Interview here.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

July 4th Special!Today's podcast will feature questions related to the Fourth of July, Independence Day, and the Declaration of Independence. We will compare some of the current USCIS 96qs with the Pilot Questions.

Big News: The Pilot Questions have been revised!

1. There are now 142 questions. 2. Two questions were removed related to the minimum wage and battles of the American Revolution. 3. Topical Headings have been added to organize the questions.4. Some of the questions have been rearranged (i.e. They have different numbers). 5. Questions have been marked for Senior Citizens older that 65 and have been legal permanent residents for more than 20 years.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 28-29 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 28-29 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q28-29:

Friday, June 29, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 25-27 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 25-27 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 25-27:

Sunday, June 24, 2007

"The Task Force on New Americans today introduced four new inter-agency initiatives to help immigrants assimilate. In addition to launching WelcometoUSA.gov, the federal government’s official website for new immigrants, the Task Force announced three major projects to help legal immigrants embrace the common core of American civic culture, learn English, and fully become American."

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

USCIS 96 Questions 21-24Today we will listen to Questions 21-24 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 21-24 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 21-24:

Sunday, June 17, 2007

At the end of the year, I made a Cd for my students. I included 5 interviews (without the introductory or concluding remarks), the 96 Questions (in sets of 10 without the explanations), and the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Allegiance.

The first CD copy was ok, so I made 99 more copies. The only problem was the subsequent copies cut 12 seconds of each track. It was not too noticeable during the interviews, but each 96 question set is basically missing 1 question. I was heartbroken!

So I added 15 seconds to most of the tracks. Please download these tracks for your own CD. Please leave a comment about the copy quality, etc.

I haven't "podcasted" the 96 Questions, the Oath, nor the Pledge yet. Those will be added to the podcast after I complete the "96 Questions with M-638 Explanation" series.

Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy end of school! Also I would like to wish my beloved parents a Happy 50th Anniversary (06/16/57) and my dad a Happy Father's Day (I am using his computer & high-speed internet connection to post this entry). As I type this, he is taking pictures of his grandchildren and my mom is advising him him on the photo shoot while passing out another dessert. Back to the family party.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

USCIS 96 Questions 20Today we will listen to Question 20 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q20 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q20:

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 17-19 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q17-19 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q17-19:

Teacher Judy is our special guest. She will read the M-638 explanations. After the questions and explanations, I will interview her about Constitution Day. We hope that you celebrate Constitution Day in your school or home. Constitution Day is also called Citizenship Day.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 14-16 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q14-16 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q14-16:

Vice-PresidentElectoral College

You can get more info about Vice-Presidents or the Electoral College from

Monday, June 4, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 12-13 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q12-13 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q12-13:

Thursday, May 31, 2007

I use Voice of America (VOA) frequently in my Senior (multi-level) ESL class. My advanced students are devoted listeners and always share the latest news with the other students. Here is the VOA story on the USCIS fee increase:

I tried to explain the fee increase to my ESL 1 students. The students are familar with calendar terms: dates, today, tomorrow, etc. I usually give a five term dictation after warming up with the alphabet, number chart, prices, and calendar. I feel that tapping a student's numeric literacy is crucial to developing fluency.

I drew a T diagram on the whiteboard and labeled it Before 05/31/07 and After 07/30/07 and added the N-400 (US Citizen) $400/$675, I-130 (Bring Family to US) $190/285, and I-485 (Get Green Card in US) ($325/$1010). The classroom began to buzz with translations.

I followed up with a picture of check for $400 going into an envelope going into the mail with a "postmark" of July 29, 2007, 11:59pm (I stamped the picture for emphasis) and added a happy face. I then pointed the picture, pointed at the at the clock and we watched the second hand sweep for 1 minute as I "ticked" and made a circular arm motion like a clock. I then made a loud "Ding!" and then turned around, crossed out July 29, 2007, 11:59pm, with a July 30, 2007 12pm and "Dong!" twelve times as I crossed out the $400 with $675. I added a sad face. I then erased the board.

Then I followed up with a standard dictation: three price $400, $675, $1010, 1-800-375-5283, and July 29, 2007 11:59pm. When we corrected it, I prompted the class with "How much does it cost?" and "What costs $XXX??" I added the Form number next to the price and "old" or "new". I drew a cell phone next to the USCIS Info number with a Flag & USCIS sign, and I wrote "Before" and donged "After" with three dollar signs and an arrow going up.

Then I passed out bilingual interview mateial in English/Vietnamese, English/Chinese, and English/Spanish. It was ripped from my hands. Many of my students may be actually elligible to apply for citizenship.

Class Handout: Sending Your N-400 to the USCIS.For Class Handout: Sending Your N-400 to USCIS--please note that there are four pages: one page for each USCIS Service Center in California, Texas, Nebraska, and Vermont. Please confirm that you are using the correct page for your state. Originally, I put the information for all four USCIS Service Centers and their assigned states on a single sheet of paper. When I gave the single sheet of paper to my students, they became confused. The print was too tiny and there was too much information.

I re-formatted the information and printed the Summary of the New Fees on the first side and Sending Your N-400 to USCIS on the second side. I printed the information on color paper so they can find this paper quickly and easily. Many students took extra copies home for their family and friends.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 09-11 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class HandoutQ09-11to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q09-11:

4th of July

Independence

England

Revolutionary War

You can get more info about Independence Day and the Revolutionary War from

Monday, May 28, 2007

Today we will listen to Questions 08 plus M-638 comments and the list of US States by Date of Statehood. You can download the Class Handout 08 to deepen your knowledge of US Geography, History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms. Note the key words--these words will help you remember questions and answers. The key word for Q08 is:

States

Because we have only one question today, we have included extra information about the dates the states. Most people memorize the names of the states alphabetically by name, but today we will list the states in the order that they were admitted into the Union. You can use this information two ways: first, practice date information; second, use a map and follow the growth of the United States.

On this Memorial Day Weekend, we would like to remember all those who gave their life for their country as combatants and non-combatants. We would also like to remember all those who are graduating this weekend, especially my fellow students in San Jose StateUniversity's MA TESOL Program.